Rodney de Roche, 39, of Grenada, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson, III to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Tuesday.
According to court documents, on Nov. 15, 2023, the United States Coast Guard
intercepted a vessel approximately 116 nautical miles west of Fort de France, Martinique, a known drug trafficking area. On board the vessel, officers observed multiple packages tied to sandbags being thrown overboard. One of the packages recovered from the ocean contained 32 kilograms of cocaine. De Roche was one of six individuals found on the vessel. The master of the vessel claimed Grenadian nationality for the vessel and the Government of Grenada granted a waiver of jurisdiction for the case and waived objection to the enforcement of United States laws.
De Roche faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for his conviction. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 4.
